Rotary sheet metal fastener



R- J. HOLTON ROTARY SHEET METAL FASTENER June 22, 1965 Filed June 13. 1961 IN VEN TOR.

BY 05527 IHULTU/V r V area-167 ROTARY snnnr METAL FAS'I'ENER Robert J. Holton, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Tinnermau Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a corporafion of Ohio Filed June 13, 1961, Ser. No. 116,786

- Claims. (CI. '85- 5) This invention relates in'general to fastener means,and more particularly to rotary fasteners; adapted to be made from a single piece of metal stock or the like, and operative to be quickly'attached to and detached from an apertured supporting panel or part, in response to partial rotation of the fastener.

Rotary type fasteners are known in the fastener'art, but generally these fasteners are unduly expensive and[ or are somewhat difficult to attach in operative position in the receiving aperture of the supporting panel, especially if such apertures are not produced to exact tolerances, and vary somewhat in size.

Accordingly, an object of the presentinvention is to provide a quickly operable rotary type fastener which may be conveniently and readilyactuated into holding position on an apertured supporting panel or part. 7 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener of the above type which includes a shank portion adapted for passage into a receiving aperture in a supporting part or panel, and wherein the shank includes means thereon for facilitating the shanks movement into the aperture irresspective of tolerance variations in the aperture size.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fastener of the above type which may be inexpensively produced from flat metal stock, such as sheet metal, to provide an economically desirable arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fastener of the above type, wherein the head of the fastener embodies means thereon for holding in mounting relation on the support panel or part, another object, such as for instance, trim strip or the like. 7 a

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a rotary type fastener produced from flat sheet metal stock and formed into a head portion and a depending split .shank portion, with the shank portion having upwardly extending flexible wing portions thereon, for rotative engagement with the underside of an apertured support .panel, and wherein the splitshank' provides lateral resiliency to the shank, for ready insertion into an undersized receiving aperture in the supporting panel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in'conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:'

FIG. '1 is an elevational view taken fromone side of a rotary fastener constructed in accordance with the instant invention; 7

FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken from the of FIG. 1; v a

FIG. 3is an end elevational view taken generally from the right hand end of FIG. 1; a

FIG. 4'is a bottom plan view of the fastener of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG; 5 is a plan view of a blank from which the fasteners shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be produced; a FIG. 6 is a plan view of a work panel or part provided other side with an aperture adapted to accommodate the fasteners V 'of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view taken from the other side of the work panel of FIG. 6, and illustrating in particular indentations formed in the work panel for receiving therein the ends of the resilient wings of the rotary fastener, to aid in V retaining the same in mounted position on the supporting the right hand end of FIG. 13;

panel; 7

FIG. 8 is a sectional view'showing a fastener of the FIGS. 1 to 4 type, mounted on a pair of juxtaposed apertured panels, and holding the latter together;

FIG. 9 is a plan view'of a modified form of aperture in a supporting panel;

FIG. 10'is a plan view of a further modified form of aperture in a supporting panel;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of the head of the fastener of the invention, and particularly a fastener which is adapted for holding in mounting relation on the supporting panel another object, such astrim strip or the like;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary end elevational view generally from the right hand end of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a sideelevational view of a further modified taken form of fastener of the invention;

FIG. 14 is an end elevational view taken generally from FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the fastener of FIGS. 13 and 14;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of the fastener of the invention;

' F1617 is an end elevational view of the FIG. 16

fastener; 7

FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the FIG. 16 fastener; FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of a further embodiment of the fastener.

Referring now again to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS 1 to 8 inclusive, number It? designates a fastener produced in accordance with the instant invention. The fastener may be formed from a single piece or blank of sheet metal stock, as illustrated for instance in FIG. 5, with such blank being subsequently bent into the fastener configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 inclusive. Fastener 10 comprises a generally inverted U-shaped (in end elevation) head portion 12, having a top recess or slot 14 formed therein, which recess not only facilitates bending of the fastener into finalized form, but also provides an aperture which may receive therein a pointed instrument or work tool, such as a screwdriver, for turning the fastener into its holding position on the supporting panel or panels P.

Depending from head 12 is a split shank portion 16 defining leg portions 16a and 16b. Leg portions and 161: are convexly curved on their exterior surfaces, and 'are disposed in spaced relation as at 17 with respect to one another, to give a considerable degree of lateral or.

- rotary movement of the fastener into its holding or mounting position on the supporting panel. Such elements 22 also give a somewhat added axial resilience to the fastener,

thereby providing for its use with greater panel thickness variations.

Patented June 22, 1955 the fastener.

' exert an axial tensionon the fastener,

that the free ends of 'the finge'rsSZ are'preferably bent I outwardly as at '54, to increasethe rotative' ability of the I) a V Each of the leg portions la, 16b is provided with an upwardly projecting generally flexible or resilient wing I 24, 24a, which wing is preferably curved somewhat inwardly, to terminate beneath the head of the fastener. It will be noted that wing 24 isinwardly curvedinone direction, while-wing 24a is inwardly curved inth e o posite direction, whereby the fastener is adapted'to rotate in a direction opposite to the inward curvature of the .Wings. Wings 24, 24a are cut away as at 30, to increase the flexibility of such wing portions,'and thereby facilitate the mounting tor twisting of the fastener in the work receiving aperture in thesupportingpanel;

The fastener isinserted in' the aperture in thework panel with the split shank providing forfreadyinsfertion I intoan undersized aperture, and then the fastener is totated preferably in 'a direction opposite to the d irection of inward curvature .of the wing portions, until thefree. ends of the wing portions move intothe indentations 32. I adjacent theperiphery' of the-aperture, with 'such'coaction between the;indentation .32 and the free ends of the resilient wing-portions aiding in retaining the fastener in at-' tached condition onthe supporting panel.= Thedistanc' e between theafree-ends ofrthe wing portions 24, 24a andthe underside of slide portions 22 is so chosen that the;

wings and" the slide portions 22 will flex or bend somewhatduring twisting of the fastener, and with the free ends of theresilient wings being urged into, biting relation ,with the confronting side of the panel, to increase. the

vibration resistance of the fastener.- The fastener may be rotated into holding positioneither by the use of the aforementioned screwdriver, or by the use of a pair of.

- pliers engaging the head 12, or even by the-use of a work mans fingers, depending-upon'thesize and resilience of As is illustrated in FIG. 3, the'fastenercan be utilized to hold together two or'rnore panelsjofpredetermined 1 thicknessgJ-ln order 'to 1 disassemble the fastener from the work panels, rotation of the fastener is effected until the free ends; of the wing portions move into the elongated slotted portions 20a ofthe. aperture,

' whereupon the fastenercan be withdrawn-from the sup porting panel.

FIGS:9 and'lO illustrate possiblemodifications ofthe. aperture in thepanel, with FIG. 9 illustrating an elongated oval-shaped aperture 36, and FIG. 10 illustrating a more or less diamond-shaped aperture 38.

Referring now to FIGSQll and 2, there is shown a FIGS. {13 to 15 illustratea further embodiment of the fastener." Such modified fastener is generally similar to.

the aforedescribed construction except that its head 45 'is of generally flat configuration-witha slight concave or outwardly bowed configuration as at 43, toincrease the p j rotative ability of the fastener vw'th respect to the supporting panel, and aid in preventingfgalling of the panel as the fastener is turned into locking position.

Referring 'nowto FIGS. 16 to 18, there isshow na further embodimentofthe rotary type fastener of the invention; In this embodim'ent,;;the head portion 50 of the fastener: includes opposed, diagonally downwardly extend .ing fingers 52, which are adapted to resiliently orflexibly engage the confronting side of the supporting panel to It Will be noted fastener; The tab portions 56 which form thehead 50 of the fastener are preferably spaced'from one another, to

' givea certain degree of lateral resiliency to the split'shank portion 16. Laterally projecting'lugs or wings 69 are provided on the shank for movement through the-receiving aperture in the panel and into locking coactionwiththe confronting side'of the panel'upon turning or twisting of the -fastener.- The outer corners 62 of wings 60 are prefto rotation of the fastener.

FIG. 19 illustrates a f urther embodiment of a fastener .5 erably rounded, as illustrated, to decrease'the resistance wherein the latter may be formed of astrip or. blank bent upon itself, with the'ends of the blank spread outwardly.

10 .With respect to one another, as-shown, to form resilient finger. portions 64. The bend in the blank-may be de- 7 formed cylindrically like; as at 66, to form a head for the fastener. The finger portions 64 maybe partiallysevered,

as at 68, to'forrn shank portions 70 which are pressed 15 together to form-the shank of the fastener. Each of the shank portions adjacent its free end has a lug or wing portion 72 which 'isadaptedforholding coaction with the confronting side of the apertured supporting pane1,against l the axial tension applied. by theresilient fingers 64," when '20- the fastener has been :turned or rotated into loCkingposi- .tion. t a f i From the foregoing discussion andaccompanyingdrawing's it-will be seen that the invention provides. a quickly operable, rotary-type; fastener, which'may be inexpensively produced from flatistockysuch as sheet. metal, and

which may comprise a resilient shank portion for facilitating the insertion of the fastener into an aperture, in a supporting part or panel, and wherein the fastener is readily, attached ,toand' detached frorn' thesupporting panel orpart. j

The terms and expressions 'whichha've been usedjare used as termsof description and not of limitation, and

there is nointention in the use of such terms'and expressions oflexcluding any'equivalents of any of the features 30 shown, or described, orportionsi thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible scope of the invention claimed.

l claimz" I 11 A rotary fastener formed of sheet metal and adapted 40 for assembly with an apertured support panel comprising; an elongated head of inverted U-shaped configuration in end elevation, with'the open endziof theU adapted to face the support. panel, a resilient cam-like element bent inwardly on the underside and extending-from each end surface of the inverted U-shaped head transversely across the open end thereof, said elements being situated on said head adjacent each of its opposed ends and .lbeing adapted'for, coactin g engagement with the confronting surface of said-support panel, a split'shank depending downwardly from saidheaddefining a pair of oppositely dis jf posed leg portions, each of s aid'leg portions being-integral wvi-th and extending one from'each of the ,sides ofthe open end of said U-shaped head, 'said leg portions being spaced laterally from one another throughout their lengths to provide transverse resiliency in said shank, said legpor- *tions having cpnvex exterior surfaces in a generallytranse :being at least as great as the transverse dimension of said :tions ineluding a single outwardly extending resilient wing on one, side thereof commencing, adjacent the lower. ex-

, ftrernity' of the respectiveleg portion and projecting up- .lwardly toward said head, each ;of .said wings being cut determined spaced relation with respect to said head ,.both

of said wings .beinginwardly curved in the opposite dir'ec tion relative to a vertical planepassing through saidshan-k,

' to facilitate rotary movement. of said fastener in the opposite directionrelative to said "curvature upon assemblyzwith said suppo'rt panel." V V 2. 'A rotary fastener in accordance with olaimlnwhere- 75 in each of said resilient cam-like elements extends beyond.

within the 1 -verse direction, the transverse dimension of said shank head as measured in the same plane, each of said-leg -poraway toward its-upper end so as to be substantially laterally spaced from its respective leg portion, and the ter: minal end of each of said wings being disposed in pre-- 5 the surface opposite to which the respective element is attached.

3. A rotary fastener in accordance with claim 1, wherein said head has angularly extending end portions for mounting an associated object on the support panel.

4. A rotary fastener in accordance with claim 1, Wherein the lateral outermost extremity of each of said wings is spaced laterally inwardly from the respective one of said cam-like elements on said head.

5. A rotary fastener in accordance with claim 1,Wl1erein said head includes an elongated slot therein adapted to receive a tool for turning the fastener.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Lombard 855 'Wagstaif 85-5 Del Camp 855 Poupitch 855 Schlueter 855 Examiners. 

1. A ROTARY FASTENER FORMED OF SHEET METAL AND ADAPTED FOR ASSEMBLY WITH AN APERTURED SUPPORT PANEL COMPRISING, AN ELONGATED HEAD OF INVERTED U-SHAPED CONFIGURATION IN END ELEVATION, WITH THE OPEN END OF THE U ADAPTED TO FACE THE SUPPORT PANEL, A RESILIENT CAM-LIKE ELEMENT BENT INWARDLY ON THE UNDERSIDE AND EXTENDING FROM EACH END SURFACE OF THE INVERTED U-SHAPED HEAD TRANSVERSELY ACROSS THE OPEN END THEREOF, SAID ELEMENTS BEING SITUATED ON SAID HEAD ADJACENT EACH OF ITS OPPOSED ENDS AND BEING ADAPTED FOR COACTING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE CONFRONTING SURFACE OF SAID SUPPORT PANEL, A SPLIT SHANK DEPENDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID HEAD DEFINING A PAIR OF OPPOSITELY DISPOSED LEG PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID LEG PORTIONS BEING INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING ONE FROM EACH OF THE SIDES OF THE OPEN END OF SAID U-SHAPED HEAD, SAID LEG PORTIONS BEING SPACED LATERALLY FROM ONE ANOTHER THROUGHOUT THEIR LENGTHS TO PROVIDE TRANSVERSE RESILIENCY IN SAID SHANK, SAID LEG PORTIONS HAVING CONVEX EXTERIOR SURFACES IN A GENERALLY TRANSVERSE DIRECTION, THE TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF SAID SHANK BEING AT LEAST AS GREAT AS THE TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF SAID HEAD AS MEASURED IN THE SAME PLANE, EACH OF SAID LEG POR- 